York County businessman skips court date

A York-area businessman who has repeatedly clashed with the law in both criminal and civil court is now wanted for failing to appear at a court hearing.

It's the second time John V. Corasaniti II was a no-show in York County Court.

A common-pleas judge in May issued a warrant for Corasaniti, 52, of 1933 N. Susquehanna Trail in Manchester Township.

He is charged with theft by deception/false impression.

According to court documents, Corasaniti took a total of $14,075 from a Hopewell Township woman to build a detached garage at her Mount Airy Road home.

On May 5, 2012, the two agreed the total price would be $25,000, and that Corasaniti would start the job within 30 days of getting the advance money he needed, documents state.

Not built: But Corasaniti never built the garage and canceled a zoning-board hearing needed to obtain a building permit, documents allege.

On Aug. 23, 2012, the resident canceled the contract, but Corasaniti never returned the money, according to documents.

Nearly two months ago, on May 20, he was supposed to appear in court on a pretrial hearing in the case but was a no-show, according to court records.

That's when Common Pleas Judge

Gregory M. Snyder issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Corasaniti did not answer repeated calls to his cell phone, which was not set up to take voicemail messages.

His defense attorney, Korey Leslie, declined comment.

Lawsuit scheme: Corasaniti also failed to appear in court in July 2007, when he was to be sentenced for scheming with his son to accuse Northern Regional Police of excessive force so the son could file a $100 million lawsuit.

He remained at large for nearly a month before turning himself in and being sentenced to 11/2 to three years in state prison for the scheme.

Corasaniti has also served time for deceptive business practices and theft by deception, according to court records.

In 2005, he filed a $50 million lawsuit against York County Prison employees and a county commissioner, alleging his rights were violated when he was kept in isolation for 60 days while serving a prison sentence.

He dropped the lawsuit two months later.

More suits: In 2004, Corasaniti sued prison officials for $10 million, again claiming his rights were violated when he was put in "the hole," or isolation.

That lawsuit also was eventually dropped.

In 2003, Corasaniti and his son, John V. Corasaniti III, sought $20 million in damages from Northern York County Regional Police, alleging that officers struck the younger Corasaniti while he was in custody.

That suit was settled out of court.

Theft cases: In 2002, the elder Corasaniti was charged with theft and fraudulent business practices for allegedly taking more than $50,000 from business customers and not completing agreed-upon work.

He later pleaded guilty to some of those charges.

Anyone who sees Corasaniti II can call 911.

-- Staff writer Liz Evans Scolforo can also be reached at levans@yorkdispatch.com.